I feel like I suggest this notion every few weeks, but tonight the Nationals open arguably the biggest series in team history. (And, assuming things continue the way they have been, I'll probably be making the same declaration several more times over the next two months.) But you can't dispute the importance of this four-games-in-three-days showdown with the Braves, who enter 3 1/2 games back in the NL East.

And who better to send to the mound for tonight's opener than Stephen Strasburg, who will be pitching on his 24th birthday (and hoping to have better luck against the Braves than he did earlier this month in the record heat at Turner Field)? Ian Desmond, meanwhile, is back in the Nationals' lineup for the first time in six days, an encouraging sign. And throwing out the ceremonial first pitch: None other than ex-Nationals closer Chad Cordero.

The forecast isn't great — good chance of storms throughout the afternoon and evening — but with a doubleheader scheduled tomorrow, they'll do whatever they can to try to get this one in.

Got new posted, and I'm really interested in your reactions.There is absolutely no way Stephen Strasburg will ever go to the minors again, unless it's on a rehab assignment.Not so sure about that. Of course, he's not going to pitch in the minors, but last year when JZimm was shut down there wasn't an issue of who would be on the post season 25 man roster, because the Nats had no chance of making the playoffs. JZimm could stay on the 40 man September roster. This year, I seriously doubt that Davey will want Strasburg to occupy a position on the 25 man roster that's eligible for the postseason if he's not going to pitch. So unless they put him on the DL when they shut him down, they may actually have to option him to the minors to free up a spot on the 25 man for the playoffs. They could bring him up for September if he hasn't reached his innings limit, as part of the expanded September roster, but that would mean he'd have to wait in the minors for 10 days, right? Am I missing something here?

The National League East (and pennant) will be decided on depth of pitching. Braves are in deep: Jesus vs. Tommy Hanson. 'Nuf said.Four games in three days. If Fredi pulls off a split, he'll be luckyGYFNG!!

Yes, Stras wasn't happy the day they had the 7-minute rain delay. If you recall, three guys (among them Ankiel) let a fly ball drop between them for a double. It then started to rain, and Stras with many grabs of the resin bag and glares at the umpire, loaded the bases and got to a 3-2 count, and finally the game was delayed. Some comedy with the tarp rollers ensued, and the game was restarted 7 minutes later. Stras came out and gave up a single.

Am I missing something here?Yes. There's nothing that requires that every single player who is on the 25 man roster on Aug 31 go onto the playoff roster. Even if a team is not going to shut down one of their five starters in September, they still will only need a maximum of four starters in the postseason, so they're going to want to keep one of their five Aug 31 starters off the postseason roster so that they can carry another reliever or position player instead. There are ways to do this, like placing extra guys on the DL on the Aug 31 deadline so they'll be eligible for the playoffs. All playoff teams do it, every year. You can be sure Rizzo knows the drill.

Am I missing something here?Yes, though I'm not sure I understand how the points Feel Wood raised apply. Stras' innings limit is almost certain to carry him into early September at least, given how Davey is keeping a weather eye out for his innings in every start. So the question of "do you keep him on the 25 man at the end of August?" is very unlikely to come into play.Also, what could the point of sending him to the minors possibly be after you shut him down? You're certainly not going to use up any of his innings there. Also also (though this is really irrelevant) the minors' seasons basically end around Labor Day, so there's nowhere to send him even if you wanted to.This is really overthinking. Stras will be on the 25 man through August 31, at which point it becomes the 40 man.

Diz, so am I. Would have thought it would be Lannan for the afternoon game and EJax for the night game. Not sure I get Davey's reasoning. Randy Knorr, when asked the most surprising–good–thing about Davey, said, the way he manages the bullpen. Said he's good with the players, treats them will respect, etc., but Knorr really admires the bullpen management.

Feel — Good point on only needing 4 starters for the playoffs. I think I understand what you're saying, but if you put someone on the DL on Aug. 31, they can't play for 15 days from the time the date they last played, so that's not much of an option for anyone who's needed for the stretch run in September. Since we'll carry only four starters for the playoffs, if Strasburg reaches his innings limit in September, he can be DL'd so that another player can replace him on the 25 man for the playoffs. (And that player can be from anywhere in the organization.) But if for some reason that can't be done (is a protective innings limit a valid injury?), or if he reaches his limit in late August, they might option him in order to have the spot available before the playoff rosters are set. I'm sure he would understand, once they pry the ball from his hand. Actually, there's the injury they'll need! Strained finger from ball being pried from hand.

Steady Eddie said… Am I missing something here? Yes, though I'm not sure I understand how the points Feel Wood raised apply.222's concern was that if Strasburg was occupying a 25 man roster spot on Aug 31st but was shut down before the playoffs, then that roster spot he was occupying on the 31st would be blocking someone else from possible playoff eligibility. That's not the case, for the reason I mentioned.

Maybe EJax is opening the DH so that Flores can catch him and Detweiler on Sunday. Thus having Leon catch Lannan, even though Leon was at Harrisburg while Lannan was up in 'Cuse. The battery combo might be to maximize chemistry more than anything.If tonight's game is rained out (big if), then it makes sense to push EJax to Sunday, with Strasburg being bumped to tomorrow. Regardless, Lannan has to pitch tomorrow else they will need a 6th starter later in the week.

But if for some reason that can't be done (is a protective innings limit a valid injury?)You're getting way too wound up in this. There are ways around the issue without having to option Strasburg over the Aug 31 window. Have you ever heard of another team sending their playoff-superfluous fifth starter to the minors over Aug 31st, or indeed any other such nonsense? Whatever Rizzo needs to do, he'll do it.

Maybe EJax is opening the DH so that Flores can catch him and Detweiler on Sunday.Or maybe Davey just said "Edwin, you're pitching one of the doubleheader games. Which one you want?" Jackson is the senior guy, so why shouldn't it be his choice?

Feel, I'm not wound up around it at all. I'm just curious, enjoy the intricacies of the business of baseball, and passing time until first pitch. (This discussion is more interesting to me than rehashing for the millionth time whether Corey Brown should come up or Zim should move to 1B.)From the sounds of your last answer, you don't know exactly how it's going to work either, and that's fine. Maybe someone else does, or knows exactly how teams have been able to reduce their 5 man rotations to 4 before the playoff roster is finalized.Eddie, I wasn't suggesting he'd be "sent to the minors," just optioned so he's off the 25 man. Maybe as Feel suggests that won't be necessary, but you certainly don't want him on the playoff roster if he's not going to pitch.

Tcostant said…I'm going Sunday – I want to bring a broom.So are Cunegonde and I. If we get to use a broom on Sunday, that would put the Nats 7-1/2 games in front of the Braves.Unlikely, but it's always nice to dream.

I wasn't suggesting he'd be "sent to the minors," just optioned so he's off the 25 man. Same thing. But as FW said, there's no need. He can be on the 25-man on 8/31 without costing them a roster spot in the playoffs (assuming they win the division), and yes, he would be able to go on the DL. Recall, for instance, the Giants left Zito off their playoff roster a couple of years back, for instance.

CN said… And there you have it, at least 3 diff answers to why Jackson is pitching the first game of the split DH tomorrow. Good work by all…And here's one more. It is my vague recollection (when DH's were more commonplace — note, that it's the NL where DH stands for doubleheader, ahem) that managers would put their best lineup for the first game. The idea being that you want to pressure the other team into "avoiding a sweep" rather than the other way around. Put your best foot forward and keep the pressure on.

F&I, I left the game the other night because I care more about my family – in that case getting my young son home to bed – than I do about seeing the last out from the Nats. If you think that makes me holier than you, I'll accept that.But stating that if our guys were to "sit on" major league breaking balls we'd score eight runs per game only accentuates the last word in your name.

Auto correct can be most unhelpful. With an NL-style DH tomorrow, there is an increased possibility they will call the game if it looks like the rain won't let up. Nice to see us put some big numbers on Tommy H. tonight.

Team is getting better and better. Morse is definitely getting his eye and timing back. Zimmerman's OPS must be around 3.500 these days, with all the homers he's jacked. And we get Jurrjens tomorrow? Can we bring Livo back, just to hit?

Portrait of a man; more specifically, a baseball player: one Ryan Wallace Zimmerman. Moiling in baseball purgatory for years, he may get his shot at baseball paradise–a shot that could mark the difference between walking away, and walking off–the difference between night and day, a difference he may become too familiar with–next stop: The Corti-Zone!

I'm guessing Davey would have pulled Baseball Jeezuz after 5 given the rain, his time on the bases, and the 9-0 lead if it wasn't for the DH tomorrow. Unfortunately, he seemed to lose focus with that lead.

Maybe it's because he's 24. Maybe it's because he's so focused when he's pitching. But Steven Strasburg does not seem to handle adversity well. Rain, heat, bad footing on the mound, an ump with an erratic strike zone — anything out of the ordinary seems to really mess with his mind.

DaveB, could be that he lost focus, but also could be that with the lead, and a wet, slick ball, he couldn't grip the ball well enough to throw breaking pitches, so he was left to challenge with an imperfectly-controlled fastball.

Yeah….well now its 9-4. So we gotta go to the pen in the bottom of 6th. We gt a DH tomorrow. Stra had only 85 pitches going into inning. So now its raining a little, Stra is falling off the mound, looking at his hand. His velocity is down to 93 and the Braves smoke 4 in a row off him. You know Davey doesn't want to go to the pen with a DH tomorrow, but Mouseburg is done. Looking at his hand after each pitch. He gets to the dugout and looks sheepishly out to the field. This guy is a frickin wimp. Yeah, you heard it here first. Shut his butt down now. He is weak as a kitten mentally. The sad thing is…. he will probably get another win.

Okay like most everyone else on this board I'll give Davey Johnson his props when due but for the life I me I cannot understand why he let SS go out for the sixth inning! I mean, seriously, a 9-0 lead (he would be in line for a W if the Nats hold the lead), the GM has many times indicated that his innings this year will be limited (and rightly so I will add), Stras just ran the bases after walking and Lombo getting a base hit, and the finally the heart of the Braves line up coming to bat. Can somebody give me an explanation why he would do that? I know, a 4 game weekend, but we did add an extra pitcher for the DH and it's not that stressful for a relief pitcher with a 9 run lead. I mean really,I just don't see a logical reason for Stras having gone out for that sixth inning.

could be that with the lead, and a wet, slick ball, he couldn't grip the ball well enough to throw breaking pitches, so he was left to challenge with an imperfectly-controlled fastball.I hear pine tar is good for that.

I can understand the passion people have for the game and the Nats, and it's actually a good thing to see. But to go nuts like this game, or this inning , is the most important one ever played, is not reasonable in the middle of a 162 (or 161, like last year) season.I have been guilty of criticizing the Nats (OK, mainly Eckstein ) but that was not ever for one game, it was for a moribund body of work.

Sec3 , speaking of pine tar, do you think opposing pitchers are afraid to use it now when playing the Nats? Avilan looked really uncomfortable with his grip, and I couldn't help but wonder if he might have wanted to use a little PT.

@Hmm.. I think you are correct. Also, Strasburg is still learning how to handle conditions like this. Better to do it in a blowout than a close game. Remember, he has not yet pitched a full season in MLB. Amazing stuff, but still learning the craft.

hmm,We have an extra starting pitcher on the roster for the DH tomorrow and we have an 8 man bullpen for the whole darn weekend, why hold out for tomorrow when we could have used a reliever today and kept Strasburg from throwing a needless inning tonight?

FP wondering out loud if Davey would pitch Storen 3 days in a row, and doubting he would, but he *is* about as fresh as he'll ever get. Maybe in one of the two games, if needed, he would. Or use him tonight to save somebody else for tomorrow, and have him for Sunday.All of which is mooted if he can't get through this eighth…

BigCat, I agree – both Davey and McCatty were saying – "We need to give our All Star pitchers a break, but still keep a R/L/R order in the rotation. Zimmermann also needs to start before he gets rusty."Or were you thinking of some other statement?

trying to keep my cool, why pitch Storen the very next day with 2 tomorrow, why not come in with Mattheus verse Chipper.Storen now has blown 3 games in hiss last 6. Gang, if Nats lose this after 9-0 at HOME …..

In the interests of fairness, if the Doom Squad is only going to come out when things aren't going their way, somebody should only post when things are good. Seriously, that poster slump has got us under the Internetz Medoza line.

Begging the question, Mick. We have diametrically opposed attitudes toward watching baseball, but we are in here, sharing them in the same venue. No way around that. We are never going to enjoy reading one another's posts, I think.

Davey really made some bad moves tonight… he was right to pull Strass when he did, why he had Storen come in is BEYOND me!!1 and why he stuck with Burnett after the left handed batters were up is stunning

Clippard is starting to look like bad Clippard from 2010 and before. And everyone is all worked up about Henry? Me thinks they are going to need that guy before all is said and done. Clippard can't find the plate.Looks like a loss looming instead of a blowout.

Just miserable. With Jackson and lannan tommorow. We will be out of first by Monday. This team has proven that it does not know how to win or hang with the big boys. And all you rose colored glasses people who want to say its just one game; Please check back to me in 1 month when the season is over. BLAHHHHHHHH

Keep things level? Stras never should have been out there in the 6th inning! Give the BP a clean slate to work with and not a 2 runs in, two men on situation. Not to exonerate the BP but darn I have a hard time understanding what the heck Johnsom was thinking in sending Steven out for another inning given the situation at hand.

Hey, ladies and gentlemen. I took a little two-hour mid-game nap. Did I miss anything?Oh. Wait. What the … ?Ladies and gentlemen, the bar is back open. Bourbon and Maalox all around. It's the 10-10 special. All drinks are on the house.

The whole bullpen has been terible the last 2 games. What suddenlt has happened there. a total of 19 runs in 18 innings for the staff. That is not like a division winning staff suddenly. Wakke up guys.

Dear Friends, THIS is the Church of Baseball. Suck it up and get tough, this is no game for sprinters. It's a marathon. A marathon of the spirit, a test of character for players and fans, and not everyone passes the test. Gorzelanny, like a boss!Any old kind of a run wins it!

I guess Espinoza didn't get the mome from mick and F&I that they ween't supposed to play in the bottom of the ninth, because, you know, the game was already lost. As for the entire team being out of it in a month, can I bet on that?

Gotta love Espi. Davey has stood behind him the whole time. Not me though. I've written him off more than once over the last year. 98 the other way. Go on with your ass Danny!! Memo to Clip….The kitchen gets hot in the closers role. It ain't that easy.

NcCatty what has happened to your people, They have all gone to hell in a hand basket since the top of the 6th inning. Total lack of focus once ahead looks like it cost you. This is the same crap the Caps do regularly.

BTW, anyone else notice how every opposing base runner is not afraid to challenge Michael Morse's arm? I mean even McCann, the Braves catcher went from second to third on a rather routine fly ball to RF early in this game. Should we make the playoffs, and I think we will, this could really be an issue for the Nats.

The last few games have really exposed how weak our outfield defense is at the moment.. Morse belongs in LF – he has no arm for RF. Inexperienced Lombo in LF increases the chances of Harper trying to take over catches (he did tonight and missed the ball that Lombo could have caught). Bernadina is always an adventure in CF. Werth's return will help, but we will still have some deficiencies there. Not sure how to fix that. Morse for Upton?

Can some explain how come one would check a swing on a low pitch but a beautful fast ball middle cut you take for strike 3. Simpluy makes no sense to me, never has and mever will watching the game over 50 years now.As Big Cat told me as the lead kept shrinking on the phone, the relievers showed no heart. I am not sure about that, but they sure have stunk in comparison to before the all star game. Not sure what the problem is, but beter come out tomorrow and win 2, because this game was in the bag and then they quit (escept Espi). Zim's field allowed runs 3 and 4 to score and that really started the down fall, and that been feilded cleanly and the inning ended 9-2, they probably would fall in place. thenZIm's fielding in the 11th allowed run 11.he was not the only problem, but he was the final problem.

Of course I take losses much harder than the players. One of the reason I quite watching for a while is I just couln't sleep as i would go over every play, and what could have gone differently. tonight a long night as there are too many plays.

Now I know how the Houston Oiler fans felt after blowing a 34 point lead verse Bills in 1993, lolthis was terrible and i'm afraid Nats will struggle to win 85 games if they are swept this weekend. Ejax has played on 6 different teams for a reason and we are going to see why tomorrow and then i bet Lannan will get lit up and of course we will stop hitting